PVMBG reported that dense white gas-and-steam plumes from Karangetang were visible rising as high as 250 m and drifting multiple directions on most days during 2-8 August. Webcam images published in the reports showed incandescence at the summit and from material on the flanks of Main Crater (S crater). According to a news source, lava avalanches traveled more than 1-1.5 km SW down the Batang, Timbelang, and West Beha drainages. Lava flows in drainages on the S and SW flanks were active; the flow in the Batuawang was 1.5 km long, the flow in Kahetang was more than 1.8 km long, and the flow in Keting was 2.1 km long. Gray clouds sometimes accompanied lava flow activity. Incandescent material was sometimes ejected up to 25 m above the summit. During the end of the week 104 people were evacuated from the Tatahadeng and Tarorane villages, located within a 2.5-km radius of the crater, to evacuation centers and remained there at least through 9 August. Incandescence at the dome in the N crater continued to be visible. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public were advised to stay 2.5 km away from Main Crater with an extension to 3.5 km on the S and SE flanks.

Geological Summary. Karangetang (Api Siau) volcano lies at the northern end of the island of Siau, about 125 km NNE of the NE-most point of Sulawesi. The stratovolcano contains five summit craters along a N-S line. It is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with more than 40 eruptions recorded since 1675 and many additional small eruptions that were not documented (Neumann van Padang, 1951). Twentieth-century eruptions have included frequent explosive activity sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lahars. Lava dome growth has occurred in the summit craters; collapse of lava flow fronts have produced pyroclastic flows.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Antara News, Antara News, Antara News